Annual Action Planning Meetings

In the implementation of this Cancer Plan, the role of the Partnership is to convene and educate partners, mobilize advocates for cancer control, monitor data trends and disseminate best practices. This will take place from 2014 – 2017 through a process involving annual action planning meetings, the use of regional cancer task forces, the annual membership meetings and other events. It is anticipated that member organizations will work collaboratively to leverage support for this Plan.

ANNUAL ACTION PLANNING MEETINGS

At the annual action planning meeting of the Board and committee co-chairs, strategic actions listed under each of the goals will be examined and ranked by priority based on review of the data and emerging science. This annual retreat will allow the Partnership to examine and respond to evolving issues, trends and other factors. The Data and Surveillance Committee will support continuum committees throughout this process by providing data and trend analysis as requested. Links will be provided that will allow readers to connect to updates, in the form of Annual Action Plans beginning in 2015.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

In 2013, the Partnership celebrated its tenth annual meeting. The Partnership has the ability and responsibility to convene many diverse organizations and professionals on the subject of comprehensive cancer control. The bylaws that govern the Partnership require the entire membership to convene at least once per year to address business and elect officers. Differing from the annual action planning meetings, the annual meeting is an opportunity for all members to network, learn about promising practices and update other members about their own work.

For each annual meeting, Partnership staff members organize educational sessions which often include speakers who are nationally-known subject-matter experts, as well as programs that reflect the implementation activities based on priorities laid out in theCancer Plan. Continuing education and medical credits are usually offered in collaboration with member organizations.

The Partnership uses the annual meeting to engage and update current members, as well as to recruit new members. The opportunity to network is often rated as one of the most important features of the annual meeting by attendees.

This Connecticut Cancer Plan, 2014-2017 clearly outlines the responsibilities of the Partnership (through its staff, Board members and committee chairs) as that of convener and educator working to also monitor data trends, mobilize advocates and disseminate best practices. The structure of the annual meeting allows the Partnership to fulfill this role, offering invaluable opportunities to its members.

REGIONAL TASK FORCE DEVELOPMENT

Each geographic area in Connecticut faces cancer control challenges specific to its region, in part due to socioeconomic factors, transportation issues, race or ethnicity, language or availability of services. In an effort to create an infrastructure to better support member needs, the Partnership has committed to support a regional task force model to carry out the statewide Cancer and Chronic Disease Plans. The purpose of a regional task force is to create a system that can coordinate allocation of local resources, collection of data, improve access to health care and work across categorical focus areas or “silos.” Key partners may include hospitals, community health centers, local health departments, senior centers, visiting nurses associations, school health representatives, mental health agencies, faith-based organizations, employers, pharmaceutical companies or related health care industries and others to be identified.

The Connecticut Cancer Partnership plans to use the Hartford Cancer Task Force and Connecticut’s ACHIEVE (86) communities as models in establishing these regional bodies.

Benefits of Membership Include:

“Building key relationships with members of the cancer community involved in all aspects of the continuum of care.

Professional development and learning about many aspects of cancer related projects and initiatives within Connecticut. This particularly occurs at the annual meetings where a wide variety of speakers present projects.

Addressing disparities and health inequities has been a continuing theme throughout my involvement with the Partnership. I have become much better informed regarding these issues within Connecticut.”

Brenda Cartmel
Senior Research Scientist
Yale School of Public Health
New Haven
Ten- year Partnership Member

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